Title: Unit 1 Glossary
Course: ELT 260 Introduction to Hydropower > Section: ELT 260 Introduction to Hydropower

Unit 1 Glossary

Terms

Term | Definitions
Atomic or Nuclear Energy | electricity generated by a nuclear reactor - energy released by the nucleus of an atom as the result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or radioactive decay.
Biomass Energy | any organic materials that can be burned and used as a source of fuel -wood being the main source of biomass such as saw-dust or any type of waste from wood(also cow manure, corn and sugarcane).
Fossil Fuels | any fuel formed from hydrocarbon deposits (e.g. coal, petroleum or oil, natural gas, etc.) or the fossilized remains of organisms.
Geothermal Energy | thermal energy contained in the interior of the earth that can be used directly to supply heat or can be converted to mechanical or electrical energy (geo = earth and thermal = heat).
Greenhouse Gas | chemical compounds like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone that trap heat in the lower atmosphere and allow direct sunlight to reach the Earth (absorbing the heat t ...
Hydro | a Greek word meaning water.
Hydroelectric Power (Hydropower) | electrical energy created by the force of moving water.
Natural Resources | material source of wealth, such as timber, fresh water, or a mineral deposit, that occurs in a natural state and has economic value. Natural resources are found in nature and are necessary or usef ...
Non-conventional Energy | A form of energy that is unusual.
Non-exhaustible Supply | endless, will never be used up.
Nonrenewable Energy | energy that comes from the earth and cannot be replenished in a relatively short amount of time. Nonrenewable sources may be harmful to the environment as they often release toxic gases when burne ...
Renewable Energy | a natural energy which does not have a limited supply and can be used again and again- will never run out (from natural sources like the sun, wind, rain, tides and can be generated again and again ...